Laugh or Mad? (Craiglist Ads)

My friend posted an ad for his landscaping business on craigslist and asked me to check it out, having never been to craigslist before I looked around. I found an ad for wedding photography that listed a web site, wantig to see what people are doing around me I checked it out, WOW, what he wrote on his info page was something else. The web site is *link removed* I cant believe people fall for this, or the owner has no problem writing this.

He has okay Wedding portraits and the looks of his booking sheet hes gettting gigs and supporting his business and family.

Some stuff he says is wrong. Photographers who charge a lot are damn good photographers. Its worth it to hire a 5,000+ wedding photographer vs a photographer with a rebel who charges 500$ and probably doesn't file his tax forms to the IRS about their business. Im glad he's actually claiming he uses PRO equipment such as 5Ds and pro L glass.

I have 2 camera bodies 1, D300 1, D700, and 2 of each lenses 70-200 2.8 vr2, 50 1.4g 85 1.4g I don't think I would ever say anything about what is pro and what is not pro. The equipment I use is suited to me and helps to get the best shot possible, being into photography for 27 years also helps, {not as a pro]

Equipment does matter in my honest opinion. You can be pro or not but a camera with the low light capability as a Full Frame Camera with 2.8/1.4 glass would take clearer pictures then a D5000 with a kit lens in a dark cathedral. Pros would use the gear to the full advantage but a none pro would not. I view the equipment as a tool for me to shoot and help me get the images that I wanna get.

Craigslist is very much like an online flea market (aka swap meet or bazaar). People "shop" there looking for bargains and not necessarily for exceptional quality. The photographers I know who advertise there are usually youngsters who are just starting out or long time hobbyist who wants to make extra cash on the weekend but don't want to invest heavily in "proper" advertising.

I use Craigslist to finding camera equipment. I've had luck finding lots of antique cameras, but I've also seen lots of obviously stolen items being sold for a quick sale too. Prostitutes also use my local Craigslist to advertise as "models". Makes for an awkward situation when you actually only interested in "doing" a photo shoot :^)

tcole1983 said:
I get more upset at the people on craigslist selling their photo gear very used for more then you can get new equipment for.

In a sense that's they're problem for not researching the general price of everything.

You're allowed to list any item for any price, no?

And the same thing happened I heard with EBay and the PS3- people wanted it so badly that people sold their empty boxes and listed them as such. Some people pounce on it, spending lots of money on something labeled empty PS3 box.

The reason for the post and the link to the web site (removed) was to ask if people think that a digital slr that has a pop-up flash is not a pro camera, like it was said on the site. Having never been to craiglist before I thought it was a joke, that some one would say that.

NSXType-R said:
In a sense that's they're problem for not researching the general price of everything.

You're allowed to list any item for any price, no?

And the same thing happened I heard with EBay and the PS3- people wanted it so badly that people sold their empty boxes and listed them as such. Some people pounce on it, spending lots of money on something labeled empty PS3 box.

True, not disagreeing...just saying. I suppose if I wanted whatever they were selling I would respond with an offer I thought was reasonable. I would hope most are smart enough to do some research when they are spending...well I would saying spending at all.

As for a pro camera having a popup flash. Just because I spent $3000 on my camera body and it doesn't have a popup flash wouldn't mean my pictures are going to be any better. I think for the most part you could assume if someone has invested lots on camera equipment they should or would know how to use it, but as I see questions on here from time to time I know that isn't the case. There are other benefits to some of more expensive bodies though...like dual memory cards or battery grip options...all that might make them more suitable for something like a wedding. I think I could take pictures at a wedding that would be good enough for people, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it and not because of my equipment.

as has been dicussed here, lots of folks who know very little about photography are advertising their services, that makes them a professional. the equipment used by them, therefore, becomes pro equipment.

D3100, D5000, T1i, T2i, T3i etc.

So, the word can be used with double meaning.

there are people who are not professional, but have made photography their lifetime hobby, and just not interested in hiring themselves out. the knoweledge of these guys/girls who are passionate about their hobby put them at the same level and sometimes higher than people who make their living with a camera.

I have seen press photographers who use their expensive cameras like point and shoot. Look at most of the photos in the newspapers and they are just snapshots.

my question is: lets say you presently have a D90 and someone gave you a D3s, would you become a better photographer because you have a D3 ?

be honest with your answer and you will automatically have the answer as to the importance of a "pro camera".